Staff photo / Chris McBride State Reps. Nick Santucci, R-Niles, left, and Dave Thomas, R-Jefferson, met Friday with Trumbull County commissioners to discuss pressing county budget issues and upcoming legislation that could affect the county.

WARREN — Trumbull County Commissioners Denny Malloy and Tony Bernard met Friday with State Rep. Nick Santucci, R-Niles, and Dave Thomas, R-Jefferson, to address pressing county budget issues and foster collaboration between local and state governments.

The discussions at the county administration building centered on securing funding for critical infrastructure projects, navigating state legislation and addressing the contentious House Bill 335, which has sparked discussion over its potential impact on local revenues.

The meeting, described by Malloy as an opportunity to “serve the people together in a better capacity,” discussed the county’s “dire” need for financial support to address capital projects such as the Trumbull County Dog Pound, the 911 dispatch center, and the coroner’s office. Commissioners discussed the county’s tight budget, exacerbated by rising costs for health insurance, supplies and union contracts, as well as the looming threat of losing $8.5 million in inside millage revenue if House Bill 335 is enacted.

BUDGET STRUGGLES Malloy and Bernard outlined the county’s significant financial challenges that commissioners say strain the maintenance of essential services without raising taxes. At an earlier meeting in June, the county talked about grappling with budget constraints that have forced tough decisions, including rejecting raises for elected officials and exploring cost-saving measures.

The hiring of KO Consulting, a grant-writing firm, was a key focus of the meeting, with Bernard noting its role in securing state and federal funds to alleviate pressure on local taxpayers.

“We just can’t put it on the backs of taxpayers,” Bernard said, referencing the county’s efforts to fund projects such as the coroner’s office, dog pound and 911 center.

The coroner’s office was a topic of discussion. Malloy said the coroner operates out of a garage after being displaced from a hospital, and requires a new facility estimated at $2 million because of needed ventilation and structural upgrades.

The dog pound is at capacity, with 72 dogs reported at another facility due to overflow.

The 911 dispatch center also needs upgrades, including a proposed radio tower at the county fairgrounds to improve cell service and emergency communications, a project estimated at $1 million but with potential revenue from leasing to providers like Verizon and AT&T.

HB 335 TALK

A significant portion of the meeting focused on House Bill 335, introduced by Thomas, which aims to reform Ohio’s property tax system.

The bill proposes eliminating inside millage — a base 10 mills applied to property values that generates approximately $8.8 million annually for Trumbull County, up from $6.5 million in 2020 because of rising property values.

Thomas argued that the automatic tax increases tied to property value reassessments, which occur every three years, have burdened property owners without voter approval.

“The system is completely broken,” Thomas said, noting that the bill seeks to separate value increases from tax hikes and give voters more control over tax levies.

However, the proposal has brought some criticism, Malloy said, in particular from local officials like superintendents.

Bernard expressed concern that eliminating inside millage could force the county to rely on new levies or sales tax increases, which voters may reject.

“Everybody’s against it,” Bernard said, mentioning opposition he said was voiced to him from the school superintendents and law enforcement.

Local governments fear the loss of stable revenue that could lead to service cuts or a proliferation of levies that voters, already tax-weary, may not support.

The Ohio Fraternal Order of Police and other groups also have voiced concerns, arguing that shifting funding to sales or income taxes could destabilize essential services like police and fire departments.

Santucci acknowledged the complexity of tax policy, likening it to a “Jenga board” where removing one element could disrupt the entire system. He talked about the need for patience as the bill progresses, noting that components of House Bill 335 may be incorporated into the state budget, which was set for a vote the following week.

Thomas suggested a compromise, such as reducing inside millage rather than eliminating it entirely, to balance taxpayer relief with local government needs.

“The Senate president said it’s off the table to eliminate all of the inside millage, but there’s probably something in between,” Thomas said.

COLLABORATION AND REGIONALIZATION

The meeting touched on the importance of regional collaboration and strategic planning, and Santucci praised the county’s decision to hire KO Consulting.

He said the consulting firm’s expertise could help Trumbull County compete for grants against larger metro areas like Cleveland and Cincinnati.

“We’ve thought very siloed for a very long time,” Santucci said. “It’s now time to start thinking broader and creatively.”

He cited the Lake to River Economic Development Group, a bipartisan group of representatives from Ashtabula to Columbiana counties, as a key resource for securing funding through joint letters of support.

Kristen Olmi from KO Consulting discussed the need for long-term planning, suggesting that projects like the dog pound could be paired with educational initiatives, such as vet tech programs, to access new grant opportunities. Santucci and Thomas gave a positive reception to the idea.

The commissioners also discussed shared services, particularly for the coroner’s office, which could serve multiple counties if legal barriers were removed.

Malloy noted that Trumbull County’s forensic pathologist, one of only nine in Ohio, could reduce court case delays for neighboring counties, but current laws prohibit coroners from generating revenue across county lines. Thomas and Santucci discussed looking into the law creating the barrier.

OTHER PRIORITIES

Commissioners shifted the conversation to the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) property negotiation, as commissioners sought a better deal for a parcel valued at $200,000.

Thomas and Santucci offered to advocate on the county’s behalf, with Thomas saying that he’s been involved in ongoing discussions with ODOT to secure a lower price or payment plan.

The state Route 11 pipeline project, aimed at bringing natural gas to underserved areas of Trumbull County, was another focal point. Santucci confirmed that funding for a feasibility study was included in the House budget and retained by the Senate, with support from federal delegates like Senators Bernie Moreno and John Husted. The project could spur economic development and address the lack of natural gas access in parts of the county.

Additionally, Malloy advocated for reclassifying 911 dispatchers and corrections officers as first responders, a move that could enhance their retirement benefits and grant eligibility without significant cost to the county. Thomas expressed support, noting that many legislators, including the governor, were surprised to learn these roles are classified as clerical.

Both commissioners and representatives talked about the need for ongoing communication and strategic planning.

Malloy and Bernard committed to developing a two-, five-, and 10-year plan with KO Consulting to address the county’s infrastructure needs systematically.

“We want to be the board that stops kicking the can,” Malloy said.

Santucci and Thomas pledged to support the county’s efforts, particularly in securing capital budget funds and navigating legislative changes.